Damon Mcknight
The Australian stockwhip is a type of long whip used for mustering cattle. It consists of a stiff handle (the stock), the keeper, a flexible thong of plaited leather, the fall, and the cracker. The standard size of an Australian stockwhip is 6 feet long, but they can be as short as 3 feet or as long as 10 feet or more. The traditional materials used to make an Australian stockwhip are redhide, greenhide leather, or kangaroo hide, with the latter being more expensive due to the fine plaits it can produce. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make your own Australian stockwhip, including the materials needed and the construction process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Handle | Stiff and long, made from cane, with a plaited leather grip |
| Keeper | A wide strip of leather connecting the handle to the thong |
| Thong | Long, plaited, and flexible, made from leather or nylon |
| Fall | N/A |
| Cracker | A twisted piece of short rope with a frayed end, made from cord, horsehair, or hay band |
| Length | Standard length is 6 feet, but can be as short as 3 feet or as long as 10 feet |
| Materials | Cowhide, redhide, greenhide, horsehide, or kangaroo hide |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the hide: cow, red, green, horse or kangaroo
When making an Australian stock whip, the choice of hide depends on the intended use, availability, and budget. Here are some options:
Cow Hide (Red Hide)
Red hide is a type of cowhide that has undergone a specific tanning process. It is commonly used for stock whips due to its durability and grip. Red hide whips typically have four plaits, although some may have six or eight plaits for greater grip and control. Red hide stock whips are available in various lengths, making them suitable for different users and applications. For example, a 3-foot red hide whip is ideal for children up to 7-8 years old, while a 7-foot whip is commonly used by tall, strong men for greater reach and noise.
Green Hide
Green hide is another type of leather used for Australian stock whips. It is less commonly mentioned than red hide or kangaroo hide, but it is a viable option for stock whip construction.
Kangaroo Hide
Kangaroo hide is a premium option for Australian stock whips due to its lightweight and superior strength. It is the most expensive option because kangaroo is a native animal, and cattle hide is more abundant and cheaper. Kangaroo hide is ideal for creating fine plaits, with the number of plaits ranging from eight to twelve or even more. The higher number of plaits does not necessarily make a better whip but results in a finer and more costly product. The length of kangaroo hide stock whips can vary from 4 to 12 feet, catering to different user needs and competition requirements.
Horse Hide
While horse hide is not specifically mentioned as an option for Australian stock whips in the sources provided, it is reasonable to assume that it could be used as a material, given its availability and historical use in whip-making. Horse hide whips may offer unique characteristics in terms of durability and flexibility.
The choice of hide ultimately depends on the intended use of the stock whip, the desired quality, and the budget available. Red hide and cow hide are more readily available and affordable options, while kangaroo hide offers premium quality but at a higher price point.
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Preparing the hide: shaving, cutting, and plaiting
To prepare the hide, you will need a very sharp knife, strong twine for binding, and a large table for cutting and plaiting. The hides you buy should be at least 5 feet long and 1/8 to 1/4 inches thick. The hide should be vegetable-tanned and flexible but not too soft. Check for any flawed sections and cut them off.
The strongest part of the hide is along the backbone, and this is where you will start cutting. Cut an elongated wedge shape for the belly section, starting from a point to a width of 1 inch and 20 inches long. Then, cut another wedge from the widest point to 3/8 inches and 5 inches long. For the keeper, cut from the thinnest part of the last wedge until the width is 1 inch, then cut to a length of 4 inches. Cut another small wedge from the keeper to 5/8 inches and 3/4 inches long.
For the whip body, cut four strips of leather from the keeper, each 5/8 inch to 3/8 inch wide and 6 inches long. The width is then continued for the rest of the whip body. The standard length for the whip is 6 feet, but you can adjust it to your preference.
For the plaiting, you will need plaiting soap to achieve a tight plait and a soft and supple whip. You can make this by mixing equal parts of soap, water, and neatsfoot oil in a heated pot. The traditional Australian stockwhip is made with a four-plait construction, but some people prefer six plaits. A kangaroo hide whip usually has eight or twelve plaits but can be made even finer by cutting the strands narrower before construction.
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Crafting the handle: using cane and leather
The handle of an Australian stock whip, also known as the 'stock', is typically made from cane and has a part-plaited leather grip. The standard length of the handle is 1 foot and 10 inches.
To craft the handle, you will need a very sharp knife, plaiting soap, a piece of strong cane, strong twine for binding, and a hide of your choice. The hide can be purchased from a leather shop or tannery and should be at least 5 feet long and 1/8 to 1/4 inches thick. It should be vegetable-tanned and made from cowhide, redhide, horsehide, or greenhide. When selecting your hide, look for one with an even thickness, a smooth grain with no tick marks, and a flexible feel without being too soft.
Once you have your materials, start by laying out your hide and identifying the strongest part, which is usually along the backbone. Cut the hide along the backbone, starting from the tail and working back towards the shoulders. You will then cut out the individual sections of the whip, including the belly, keeper, and whip body.
For the handle, use a piece of strong cane cut to the desired length. Bind the leather grip to the cane using the twine, following the steps outlined in the source instructions for a basic stockwhip. You can also add a basic four-plait to the handle if desired.
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Attaching the handle: using a keeper to connect the handle to the thong
The keeper is the part of the whip that connects the stock (handle) to the thong. It is made of a wide strip of leather that passes over the end of the whip handle, loops through the end of the thong, and is then joined to the stock. This design makes it easy to replace the stock if it falls off.
To attach the handle to the thong using a keeper, you will need a very sharp knife, plaiting soap, a piece of strong cane about 1 foot 10 inches in length for the handle, and strong twine for binding. You will also need a place to work, such as a large table suitable for cutting and plaiting, and a door knob with a piece of lace to hang your whip on.
First, lay your hide out onto the table and examine it. The strongest part of the hide is along the backbone, and this is where you will start cutting. Before you cut out the whip set, check for any flanky bits and cut them off. The whip can be adjusted to any length, but a standard Australian stockwhip is 6 feet long.
Next, cut out the belly and keeper sections. The belly section should be an elongated wedge shape, starting from a point and increasing to a width of 1 inch (25mm) and a length of 20 inches (450mm). From the widest point, cut another wedge with a width of 3/8 inch (10mm) and a length of 5 inches (125mm). Then, from the thinnest part of the wedge, cut out the keeper with a width of 1 inch (25mm) and a length of 4 inches (100mm). Cut another small wedge from the keeper to a width of 5/8 inch (16mm) and a length of 1 inch (25mm).
Now, cut four strips of leather from the keeper, each with a width of 5/8 inch (4mm) to 3/8 inch (10mm) and a length of 6 inches (150mm). This width is then continued for the whip body. With the loose end, place a short length longways down from the groove you cut earlier, and turn it at a sharp right angle to travel around the groove and overlap the first piece. Wind the handle while pulling tight on the twine until the leather from the keeper is completely covered.
To finish the binding, undo the end from the door knob and hold the existing binding tight with a finger. Form a bridge about 1 inch (25mm) from the last bind and loosely wrap the loose end around the handle, under the formed bridge, towards the last bind, and place the end under the last bind. Continue from the last bind by wrapping the formed bridge around the handle until all loose wraps are taken up, then pull the end that you placed under the last bind tight and trim off.
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Adding the cracker: a short rope for the cracking sound
The cracker is an essential part of the Australian stockwhip, producing the whip's distinctive cracking sound. It is a short rope, typically around 4 inches or 10 cm long, that is twisted and has a frayed end. The cracker is attached at the end of the fall, and it is under a lot of stress when the whip is used, so it needs to be replaced frequently.
The cracker can be made from various materials, including cord, horsehair, or hay band (baling twine). The choice of material depends on availability and cost. For example, hay band is a cheap and easily accessible option for making a cracker.
When the cracker moves at top speed, it can achieve more than three times the speed of sound, resulting in a sonic boom. This sonic boom creates the characteristic cracking sound associated with the Australian stockwhip.
The process of attaching the cracker to the fall involves specific techniques, such as the cattleman's crack and round yard. The whip is swung backward over the shoulder and then forward, with the whip cracker spinning the whip in an anti-clockwise direction (for right-handed users) over their head.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a very sharp knife, plaiting soap, a piece of strong cane about 1 foot 10 inches in length for the handle, and strong twine for binding. The whip itself can be made from cowhide, redhide, greenhide, horsehide, or kangaroo hide.
The standard length for the thong is 6 feet, but shorter and longer whips are available. The overall length of the whip depends on the length of your arm to determine reach.
The Australian stockwhip has a longer handle and is made from leather or nylon. The bullwhip is made from inexpensive nylon. The Australian stockwhip is also capable of producing a sonic boom.
The cracker is a twisted piece of short rope with a frayed end that is attached to the end of the fall. It aids in producing the crack and keeps the whip in good condition.
